70 CULTIVATION 



ed the reproductive powers of Nature, even in the 

 vine, the most hardy of her children? This is not 

 unworthy of consideration. The potato, subjected 

 to similar treatment, yields up its Irish ghost in less 

 than three centuries; and why not the vine in more 

 than twenty? Europe may have to return to the 

 wild grapes of Ferdistan for her future vineyards? 

 or she may supplant her vineyards with the Isabel- 

 las, Catawbas, and Scuppernongs of America. 

 The average produce of the vineyards of the old 

 world heretofore, has been over two thousand mil- 

 lions of gallons of wine annually, an amount 

 almost beyLd tho limit, of flnit, Comprehension. 

 Whither this mighty revenue will drift, as the 

 oriental vine bows before time, fate, and circum- 

 stance, is the question ? Here where the soil and 

 climate unite to produce the largest yield, and the 

 spontaneous growth of the grape is without a 

 parallel, here seems to present a golden opportunity. 

 What if we neglect it? What if we embrace it ?" 



DURABILITY AND FRUITFULNESS OP THE VINE. 



There are some advantages to be attained, de- 

 cidedly favorable in the culture of the grape in the 

 United States; among which are its early bearing 

 qualities, its prodigious fruitfulness, and its great 

 longevity if properly nurtured. When propagated 

 from a layer, fruit is often obtained the next season 

 after it is rooted, and then, for every succeeding 

 year, even for centuries to come. Thus in planting 



